Zotac is latest company to release VR backpack PC

Earlier this year, Zotac showed off a prototype backpack that included a Zbox Mini PC suitable for virtual reality gaming without annoying tethers. Today the company has shown off the final version, now named the VR GO, which joins a number of VR backpack PCs unveiled over the last few months.

Like the prototype version, the VR GO includes a modified mini-PC and several batteries in an enclosure that straps to your back. Zotac has ditched the basic backpack-like exterior used in the prototype for something that looks more like a standard PC case, complete with large cooling vents and ports on the top and right-hand sides.

Hardware-wise the backpack includes an Intel Core i7 CPU, presumably from their mobile H-series line, as well as an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card. You'll also find space for two sticks of DDR4, an M.2 PCIe SSD and a 2.5-inch storage drive inside, plus there's Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 support.

The top edge features a HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports and a power port that connect directly to the HTC Vive via short, comfortable cables. The right side has an additional three USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and SD card slot and some audio jacks.

The hardware is all powered by two hotswappable batteries that send juice to around 150 W of components. Zotac hasn't listed the exact battery capacity or how long you can expect to play VR games using the VR GO, but the battery would need to be fairly sizable to get a few hours of usage. There's also a battery indicator on the rear of the backpack, though it's unclear how you're supposed to read the indicator while the backpack is on your back.

At this stage there's no word on pricing for the VR GO, although it will be available before the end of the year.

True but at least someone is trying to make fully mobile solutions for VR. Imagine a VR playground of sorts in a large warehouse where groups of people can battle against each other in VR but still having full movement instead of sitting in a chair thumbing a controller or standing and doing the same boring thing.

While these are not necessary or practical right now, there is a developing market for it. So it is good that there are players interested in providing for this market.